Ultrex QUEST Shaft Length Guide: How to Choose Between 45", 52", and 60"
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Why Shaft Length Matters
Shaft length determines how deep your trolling motor's propeller sits in the water. That depth affects everything: thrust consistency, Spot-Lock accuracy, steering response, and how well the motor performs when the bow rises in waves or rough water.
Choose too short a shaft and the prop breaks the surface in rough conditions, losing thrust and GPS anchoring accuracy. Choose too long a shaft and you may have clearance issues when trailering or deploying in shallow water.
The Minn Kota Ultrex QUEST 90/115 is available in three shaft lengths: 45 inches, 52 inches, and 60 inches. Here's how to choose the right one for your boat.
The Quick Answer
| Shaft | Best For | Typical Bow Height |
|---|---|---|
| 45" | Lower-profile bass boats with standard bow heights | 16" or less |
| 52" | Most tournament bass boats and multi-species rigs | 17"–21" |
| 60" | Larger boats, Great Lakes, and rough-water conditions | 22" or more |
Bow height is measured from the waterline to the top of the bow deck where the trolling motor mounts. This is the single most important measurement when selecting shaft length.
How to Measure Your Bow Height
Before selecting a shaft length, measure your bow height with the boat in the water at normal fishing load (fuel, gear, and passengers aboard).
- Launch the boat and load it as you would for a typical fishing day.
- Measure from the waterline to the top of the bow deck where the trolling motor foot pad will sit.
- Use that measurement as your primary reference when selecting shaft length.
Minn Kota's general guideline is to add 20 inches to your bow height to determine the minimum recommended shaft length. However, anglers who fish rough water, large reservoirs, or Great Lakes conditions should add additional length for margin.
The 45-Inch Shaft
Who It's For
The 45-inch shaft is the right choice for lower-profile bass boats with standard bow heights. It's the most maneuverable option in the Ultrex QUEST lineup and the easiest to trailer and deploy in tight quarters.
Ideal Conditions
- Protected lakes and reservoirs with minimal wave action
- Shallow-water bass fishing
- Smaller, lighter fiberglass bass boats
- Anglers who primarily fish calm to moderate conditions
Boats That Commonly Use the 45" Shaft
- Ranger Z175 / Z185
- Nitro Z17 / Z18
- Skeeter ZX150 / ZX175
- Bass Cat Cougar / Lynx
- Phoenix 518 / 619
These are representative examples. Always verify with your boat manufacturer and measure your actual bow height before purchasing.
When to Consider the 52" Instead
If your bow height is above 16 inches, you regularly fish in wind or waves, or you fish a larger fiberglass boat, the 52" shaft is typically the better fit.
Shop the Ultrex QUEST 45" with Dual Spectrum CHIRP or Ultrex QUEST 45" with MEGA Down + Side Imaging.
The 52-Inch Shaft
Who It's For
The 52-inch shaft is the most versatile option in the Ultrex QUEST lineup and the right choice for most tournament bass boats and multi-species rigs. It provides the extra prop depth needed for today's larger fiberglass bass boats while remaining easy to trailer and maneuver. For the majority of serious freshwater anglers, the 52" is the sweet spot.
Ideal Conditions
- Tournament bass fishing on reservoirs and large lakes
- Offshore ledge fishing and structure fishing
- Moderate to rough water conditions
- Multi-species fishing on larger inland lakes
- Anglers who fish a variety of conditions throughout the season
Boats That Commonly Use the 52" Shaft
- Ranger Z521 / Z521L
- Skeeter FXR / ZX Series
- Phoenix 920 / 921
- Bass Cat Jaguar / Puma
- Lund Pro-V / Pro-V GL
- Ranger 620 / 622
These are representative examples. Always verify with your boat manufacturer and measure your actual bow height before purchasing.
When to Consider the 60" Instead
If you fish a larger deep-V boat, regularly encounter Great Lakes conditions or large open-water reservoirs with significant wave action, or your bow height exceeds 21 inches, the 60" shaft is the better choice.
Shop the Ultrex QUEST 52" with Dual Spectrum CHIRP or Ultrex QUEST 52" with MEGA Down + Side Imaging.
The 60-Inch Shaft
Who It's For
The 60-inch shaft is the ultimate big-water configuration. It's designed for anglers fishing larger freshwater boats on Great Lakes fisheries, expansive inland reservoirs, and open water where conditions change fast. The additional shaft length keeps the prop submerged when the bow rises in waves, maintaining consistent thrust, reliable Spot-Lock performance, and stable boat control when conditions get serious.
Ideal Conditions
- Great Lakes bass and walleye tournaments
- Large inland reservoirs with open-water exposure
- Consistently rough or windy conditions
- Deep-V walleye boats and multi-species rigs
- Professional tournament anglers who fish a wide range of conditions
Boats That Commonly Use the 60" Shaft
- Ranger 621FS / 621C
- Lund Pro-V 2075 / 2175
- Skeeter WX Series
- Yar-Craft 219 / 229
- Warrior V2090 / V2290
- Crestliner 2150 / 2250 MX
These are representative examples. Always verify with your boat manufacturer and measure your actual bow height before purchasing.
When the 52" Is Enough
If you fish a standard tournament bass boat on protected or moderately exposed water, the 52" shaft is typically sufficient. The 60" is for anglers who genuinely need the additional depth — not just those who want extra margin.
Shop the Ultrex QUEST 60" with Dual Spectrum CHIRP or Ultrex QUEST 60" with MEGA Down + Side Imaging.
Shaft Length vs. Sonar Package — Two Separate Decisions
Shaft length and sonar package are independent choices. Once you've selected the right shaft for your boat, choose the sonar package that matches how you fish.
| Sonar Package | Best For |
|---|---|
| Dual Spectrum CHIRP | Traditional 2D sonar, anglers already running forward-facing sonar |
| MEGA Down + Side Imaging | Tournament scouting, offshore structure, maximum Humminbird integration |
See our Sonar Comparison Guide for a detailed breakdown of each sonar package.
Still Not Sure? Ask Us.
Shaft length selection depends on your specific boat, how you load it, and the water you fish. If you're not certain which shaft is right for your setup, contact our marine specialists before purchasing. We're happy to help you make the right call.
Browse the full Minn Kota Ultrex QUEST collection or explore more guides in the Learning Center.